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Written by: Victor Hugo (novel), J. Grubb Alexander (adaptation), Walter Anthony (titles), May McLean, Marion Ward, Charles E. Whittaker (uncredited)
Directed by: Paul Leni
Starring: Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt, Brandon Hurst, Cesare Gravina, Stuart Holmes, Samuel de Grasse, Josephine Crowell, Olga Baclanova
Rated: NR [TV-PG]
Watch the trailer
Plot
When a proud noble refuses to kiss the hand of the despotic King James in 1690, he is cruelly executed and his son surgically disfigured.
Verdict
Being a silent film is going to dissuade many people, but this is surprisingly good despite the limitation. It's actually incredible that this movie is nearly one hundred years old. The themes are just as relevant now; insecurity takes a toll as it can undermine your perceptions. A disfigured man thinks no one can love him, and that makes him keep everyone at a distance.
Watch It.
Review
Accounting for the style and age, this is a really good movie, though the acting can be theatrical and exaggerated to make up for the lack of dialog. Set in 1600s England, the basis for the story is terrible. The King is mad a noble didn't kiss his ring so he punishes the noble's son by carving a permanent smile onto his face so that he will always laugh at his foolish father. The laughing man's appearance was an inspiration for the Batman villain the Joker.
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| Conrad Veidt, Olga Baclanova play Gwynplaine, Duchess |
As a child Gwynplaine (Conrad Veidt) found a traveling performer, Ursus, growing up as "the laughing man." Gwyn also travels with Dea (Mary Philbin), a blind woman that loves him dearly. Unable to resolve his feelings of shame over his appearance, Gwyn rejects Dea. He can't imagine she would love him if she knew his appearance. Since he hasn't come to terms with his appearance, he doesn't know how anyone else could.
Gwyn ends up back in town after all these years and he's recognized as the heir to his property which had been taken by Duchess Josiana (Olga Baclanova). The court wants to hide his lineage. The duchess is intrigued by Gwyn, and he can't believe someone could see his appearance and still be interested in him. While interested, the duchess has a vested interested in the relationship. If she marries Gwyn she can retain the property she's taken.
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| Conrad Veidt plays Gwynplaine |
The thing with silent movies, the directors and actors knew the story had to carry without dialog. There's very little dialog in the movie, aside from the odd title card. Modern films could improve by ensuring the story carries even if the sound is muted.
Gwyn was racked by insecurity, thinking no one could love him with a face like his. Even though Dea professed her love, he dismissed it unsure she'd feel the same if she could see him. When the duchess is interested in him romantically, he sees it as some kind of miracle and it in turn gives him confidence in Dea's love. The royal court refuses to accept Gwyn, and humanity disappoints him yet again. It's the harsh reality he feared, but through the ordeal he realizes what he had. Gwyn was so concerned about what he lacked that he didn't appreciate Dea.
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